Chip chip cheerio
Astor Victoria does "hostel" better than all of the six hostels I stayed in when I was in Europe. Oh yeah it was pricey ($40/night), but that's the price one pays for living in the City of Westminster for five days. When I was first assigned the topmost room my jaw almost dropped since there were no elevators. Once I saw the views outside my window, I fell for it. I could see all the sights along the Thames including the Parliament and the Eye. The room was tip top clean though you sleep next to the sink (Europe is just weird with plumbing). Unlike the other places I stayed in, the showers were easy to operate though the water t..r....i....c...k....l.....ed, which I blame on the lack of pressure at this height.
The Pimlico station is a couple of blocks down and the big Victoria station is about 3/4 mile the other way. Actually, the neighborhood is properly called Pimlico and its jammed with small hotels. It's the perfect place to hit all the main London spots and avoid excessive noise.
As for the services, it was friendly. My one reservation is the security of your luggage since you throw it into a cramped closet with the others. There is one key for it.